Bayern Munich have been handed a boost with the news that Douglas Costa is closing in on his comeback from injury.
Costa, 25, joined his teammates for parts of a public training session at the club's training facilities on Sabener Strasse on Monday.
The winger has been out of action since converting the winning penalty in the shootout of the DFB Pokal final against Borussia Dortmund on May 21.
He had to pull out of Brazil's squad for this summer's Copa America in the United States, and also did not feature for his country at the Rio Olympics because of problems in the adductors region.
On Monday, Costa made another step toward his comeback as he "briefly joined his teammates" for part of a public training session at Bayern's facilities, the German champions said on their official website.
However, he did not complete the session and later "continued his rehab programme on an adjacent pitch following the warm-up."
Bayern's squad was lower on numbers on Monday not only because of nine players away on international duty but also due to long-term absentees Holger Badstuber, Arjen Robben, Kingsley Coman and Jerome Boateng, with the latter picking up another award in Hamburg on Monday night.
Renato #Sanches has pulled out of international duty to work towards a comeback in Munich. pic.twitter.com/QDNcNRlefl
- FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) August 29, 2016
However, Bayern's new holding midfielder Renato Sanches took part in the training session instead of joining his Portugal teammates, who are preparing for their meetings with Gibraltar and Switzerland.
The 19-year-old withdrew from the Portugal squad as he continues to work on his comeback.
""Renato is still feeling the injury to his muscle, and that prevents him taking part in Portugal's two upcoming matches," Bayern club doctor Volker Braun told the official website, with CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge thanking the Portuguese FA "for their excellent partnership and understanding."
Sanches was an unused substitute in Bayern Munich's 6-0 win against Werder Bremen on the opening day of Bundesliga last Friday.